Patrick Youssef, the ICRC’s Head of Africa Region, discusses the organization’s mission to provide life-saving assistance and protect civilians caught in armed conflict across Africa. He highlights the challenges in delivering aid amidst volatile security conditions, particularly in Nigeria and Sudan, and calls for increased international attention to the region's humanitarian needs.
The International Committee of the Red Cross ( ICRC ) stands as a beacon of hope and humanity in a world increasingly marked by protracted crises and escalating violence. Patrick Youssef , the ICRC ’s Head of Africa Region, recently shared his insights with PREMIUM TIMES’ international security expert Pearl Matibe, offering a candid look into the organisation’s mission, priorities, and challenges in responding to conflicts across Africa, including Nigeria , Sudan , and beyond.
Mr Youssef described the ICRC’s mission as a dual endeavour: providing life-saving assistance and advocating for the protection of civilians through the rigorous implementation of international humanitarian law. He noted that these principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence form the backbone of the ICRC’s approach, enabling the organisation to access conflict zones where few others can operate. “Our work begins and ends with people—those displaced by violence, detainees, and communities caught in the crossfire of war,” he explained, adding that the ICRC operates in over 20 African countries.The ICRC’s approach is rooted in dialogue with all stakeholders, from governments to armed groups. Mr Youssef highlighted the need for increased international attention to meet the extraordinary needs of crises in Africa daily. He reiterated the importance of sustained international engagement, particularly in preventing the regional dimensions of African conflicts from spiralling further. In Nigeria, for example, the ICRC is actively engaged in addressing the humanitarian fallout from protracted conflicts in the north-east, particularly those caused by armed insurgency involving various armed groups. The organisation provides life-saving surgeries to thousands of victims of armed violence and supports over 37,000 farming families with essential seeds and tools to rebuild livelihoods destroyed by conflict. Additionally, the ICRC has helped reconnect over 124,000 families separated by violence and displacement. This work is carried out through ICRC’s presence in Nigeria, which extends emergency assistance and promotes the principles of international humanitarian law across the country. On broader regional challenges, Mr Youssef spoke of the escalating violence in Sudan, particularly in Darfur, where millions are displaced across a country spanning over 1.8 million square kilometres. Africa’s wars are relentless and Mr Youssef shared insightful anecdotes about the overwhelming humanitarian needs in Darfur and the continent of Africa. In Darfur, where violence has re-emerged with devastating consequences, the ICRC faces immense challenges in delivering aid amidst volatile security conditions. He described how Sudan epitomises the multi-layered crises we face across Africa: ethnic violence, political instability, and mass displacement, and warned of the conflict’s potential to destabilise neighbouring states. While addressing the immediate needs of displaced communities, Mr Youssef stressed the importance of global solidarity in tackling the root causes of these crises. Sudan also featured prominently in Mr Youssef’s discussion, particularly in the wake of renewed violence in Darfur. The humanitarian impact is staggering, with millions displaced across Sudan’s vast terrain, which spans over 1.8 million square kilometres. “Sudan’s crisis is a microcosm of what’s happening across Africa – protracted, multifaceted conflicts with deep human consequences,” Mr Youssef said. He expressed concern about the long-term trajectory of the crisis, noting that the regional dimensions of Sudan’s conflict could destabilise neighbouring countries like Chad and South Sudan. On the financial front, the indispensable role of the ICRC’s donors is key, particularly the United States, which provides approximately 25 per cent of the organisation’s funding through the State Department’s Office of Population, Refugees, and Migratio
ICRC Patrick Youssef Humanitarian Crisis Nigeria Sudan Darfur Conflict Armed Violence Displacement International Law Aid Delivery
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nigeria to Appoint 'Enterprising' Head Coach for Super Eagles Ahead of 2026 World Cup QualifiersFormer Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick assures that the Super Eagles will soon have a new head coach for their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign. The team has been searching for a permanent manager since Finidi George stepped down in June 2024. Pinnick states that the NFF is close to appointing a reputable coach and a supporting coaching crew, emphasizing that the selection process considers both financial resources and the coach's qualifications.
Read more »
Village Head in Nigeria Suspended Amid Misconduct AllegationsThe village head of Esuk Utan in Cross River state, Nigeria, has been suspended following allegations of misconduct and misuse of office. A five-man committee will manage the village affairs pending the outcome of an investigation.
Read more »
Eric Chelle Appointed as New Head Coach of Nigeria's Super EaglesExperienced coach Éric Sékou Chelle takes the helm of Nigeria's national football team, tasked with securing a World Cup berth.
Read more »
A New Dawn in Nigeria-South Africa Relations?Nigeria seeks South Africa's support for G20 and New Development Bank membership, as well as leadership roles in thematic discussions under South Africa's G20 presidency.
Read more »
Judges weaken fight against corruption in Nigeria, Africa — Sierra Leone’s anti-graft czar KaifalaThe Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Francis Ben Kaifala, has blamed judges in Nigeria and Africa for the difficulty anti-corruption agencies face in securing convictions in criminal cases.
Read more »
Nigeria's UNILAG Hosts UNESCO's Africa MILID ChapterThe University of Lagos (UNILAG) has been chosen as the headquarters for the newly established Africa chapter of the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy and Intercultural Dialogue (MILID) university network. This initiative aims to promote media and information literacy across the continent.
Read more »